Valerie Lerman’s Event Journal

How was your experience?

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Overall I would say this event was good value for the price I paid for discounted tickets. I'm not sure I would feel the same had I paid full price.
No one beats the Russians for stellar ballet technique and continuity of performance, and the costumes were universally lovely, but I disagreed with many of the artistic decisions that were made. For example, too much of the music was far too slow and it made the choreography seem labored and lacking the usual sparkle. Also, adding the "animals" to the divertissments in Act II was a huge mistake; it added a comic and even amateur flavor that was completely out of place.
On the plus side I thought the additional young children was an interesting touch - and I have to say that whoever rehearsed the children did a phenomenal job; I did not see even one mistake! With a large group of children that young this is nothing short of miraculous.
Finally, I have some very unkind things to say about the management of the Akoo Theater. We had to wait in line for nearly 30 minutes just to pick up our tickets because they "had not been printed yet." Also, none of the front-of-house staff seemed to have any clue what was happening and why.
I doubt very much that I ever will attend another event at the Akoo.